Senior PE Process Engineer Water / Wastewater

Senior Process Engineer - Water/Wastewater

Orange County, CA | On-Site | Direct Hire

Shape the Future of Water Infrastructure While Staying Deeply Technical

Are you a Senior-level engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and making a tangible impact on critical infrastructure projects? Do you want to remain hands-on with engineering while also mentoring others and helping guide the growth of a high-performing team?

If so, this opportunity offers the best of both worlds.

Seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join a growing environmental and engineering consulting firm recognized for delivering innovative water, wastewater, environmental compliance, remediation, permitting, and infrastructure solutions throughout California and the Western United States. The firm partners with both public and private sector clients to tackle some of the region"s most challenging environmental and water resource issues, combining technical expertise with a practical, client-focused approach. With a strong reputation, a growing project backlog, and a collaborative culture that values technical excellence, this organization provides an environment where experienced engineers can make an immediate impact while helping shape the future of the practice.

About the Opportunity

This is a highly visible technical leadership role supporting industrial and municipal wastewater projects across Southern California. You"ll lead important initiatives from concept through implementation while serving as a trusted technical resource for both clients and internal teams.

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys balancing engineering design, problem-solving, project leadership, and mentorship without becoming disconnected from the technical aspects of the work.

What You"ll Do

Technical Leadership & Project Delivery

• Lead industrial and municipal wastewater projects from planning and design through construction support and project completion
• Perform and oversee wastewater process engineering, system evaluations, and treatment design
• Develop innovative solutions for complex water and wastewater challenges
• Review engineering calculations, reports, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation
• Provide quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) oversight
• Review, approve, and stamp engineering deliverables where applicable
• Support troubleshooting, optimization, and performance improvement efforts for existing treatment systems

Client & Project Management

• Collaborate directly with clients, regulatory agencies, contractors, and project stakeholders
• Support project planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance initiatives
• Participate in technical presentations, client meetings, and project reviews
• Contribute to successful project execution while maintaining high standards of quality and client satisfaction

Team Development

• Mentor engineers, designers, and technical staff
• Provide guidance on engineering best practices and wastewater process design
• Help strengthen technical capabilities across the organization
• Support the continued growth of an expanding engineering team

Areas of Project Focus

Projects may include:

• Industrial wastewater treatment facilities
• Municipal wastewater treatment systems
• Wastewater process design and optimization
• Collection and conveyance systems
• Pump stations and lift stations
• Water reuse and water recycling systems
• Treatment, storage, and distribution facilities
• Design-build infrastructure projects
• Regulatory compliance and permitting initiatives

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Stay Technical

Unlike many Senior engineering roles that become meeting-heavy and administrative, this position allows you to remain actively involved in solving engineering challenges and developing technical solutions.

Make an Immediate Impact

Join a team with an active backlog of meaningful wastewater projects where your expertise will be valued from day one.

Visible Leadership Role

Work directly with Senior leadership and help influence technical direction, project execution, and team development.

Mentorship & Career Growth

Play a key role in developing junior engineers while positioning yourself for broader engineering leadership opportunities.

Collaborative Environment

Enjoy the benefits of a smaller, highly respected consulting firm where your ideas are heard, contributions are recognized, and your work has a direct impact on company success.

Work-Life Balance

Benefit from flexible work hours while maintaining a collaborative, team-oriented office environment.

Required Qualifications

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Experience supporting wastewater treatment systems and process design projects
• Industrial and/or municipal wastewater project experience
• Ability to review technical deliverables and provide engineering oversight
• Experience leading projects and mentoring technical staff
• Strong communication, collaboration, and client-facing skills
• Ability to work onsite in Orange County, California

Preferred Qualifications

• California Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Deep expertise in industrial wastewater treatment
• Process engineering background
• Design-build project experience
• Regulatory compliance and permitting experience
• Experience with water reuse, conveyance, pretreatment, treatment facilities, or pump station projects
• Environmental remediation experience, particularly for candidates with a Civil Engineering background

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Orange, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $220000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Health insurance 401(k) matching Paid time off Vision insurance Dental insurance Disability insurance Profit sharing Paid holidays Opportunities for advancement • Medical • Dental • Life/Long Term Disability • 10 Paid Holidays • 401(k) Retirement Plan • 5 Sick Days • 2 Weeks Vacation Benefits offered: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life/Long Term Disability • Generous PTO policy • 10 Paid Holidays • 401(k) with match • Profit Sharing Plan • Discretionary Bonus Program

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Orange,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 1, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.